Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product GDP grew by 1.6 per cent in real terms in the second quarter 2019 (Q2) , mainly attributable to 1.6 per cent growth in Services activities, 1.4 per cent growth in Industry activities and 1.0 per cent growth in Agriculture activities in value added terms, Central Bank announced.
Manufacturing activities continued to expand at a higher rate in August 2019, compared to July 2019.
Services sector continued to expand in August 2019, yet at a slower pace compared to July 2019
.
Weekly AWPR for the week ending 20th September 2019 decreased by 8 bps to 10.56 per cent compared to the previous week.
The reserve money decreased compared to the previous week mainly due to the decrease in currency in circulation.
The total outstanding market liquidity was a deficit of Rs. 39.226 bn by end of the week, compared to a deficit of Rs. 75.594 bn by the end of last week.
By 20th September 2019, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) decreased by 0.54 per cent to 5,793.9 points and the S&P SL 20 Index decreased by 1.74 per cent to 2,766.1 points, compared to the previous week.
During the year up to 20 September 2019 the Sri Lanka rupee appreciated against the US dollar (1.0 per cent).
Given the cross currency exchange rate movements, the Sri Lanka rupee appreciated against the pound sterling (2.2 per cent), the euro (4.5 per cent) and the Indian rupee (3.1 per cent) while depreciated againstJapanese yen (1.3 per cent) during this period.
(LI)